Page 19 of Master My Love

“I’m a therapist.”

He patiently waited for more, but nothing else was forthcoming. “I’m assuming not the rehabilitative type, but more like a psychotherapist.”

“Yes, I have a private practice in Long Beach. I do couples therapy and have witnessed many scenes like that one, without the flogger and leather restraints, of course. That was a first.”

She ended with a soft laugh, and he couldn't help but smile. Her sweet, lilting voice and the curve of her lips made her even more beautiful.

“Why would you hide the fact you are a psychologist?”

“Actually, I’m a clinical social worker. I keep it to myself in social situations, mostly because people get paranoid and think I’m psychoanalyzing them. Whenever I informed a spanker that I was a social worker, they grew antsy, as if I was going to report them for spousal abuse or take away their children.” She read his surprise accurately and explained further, “I did my graduate thesis on spanking.”

“I bet your professors loved that,” he quipped with a broad grin.

“I’m sure of it. I got an A.”

“Naturally, but spanking is very broad. What was the topic, specifically?”

“Do I have to say?” The becoming flush reappeared.

“No. You’ll recall what I said earlier about consent. You don’t have to do anything, but I am curious. Is it really so embarrassing?”

Val gazed at him briefly and then nodded, as if concluding he was trustworthy. “I entitled it ‘Human Sexuality: Adult Spankophilia.’”

Impossibly, his grin widened farther. “I’d love to read it someday. How did you conduct your research? Was it hands on?”

She ignored his amusement. “I did it through questionnaires, direct interviews, and a few observations.”

“They let you watch?”

“A few of the participants were extremely cooperative.”

“Exhibitionists, I bet. Were they in the lifestyle, everyday vanilla couples, or merely kinky players? Did you watch anything other than spanking?”

“It was a combination of all three, and when observed, the recipients were all fully dressed. Can we change the subject, please?”

“Why? Do you worry someone might discover your fascination with spanking? Look around you, Valerie. You are certainly not alone.” He leaned back and grinned, enjoying her company and the topic. Her blushing and squirming in her seat made it all the more intriguing to him. “Tell me some of your findings.”

“There was so much data, it’s hard to decide where to begin.”

“Pick a spot.”

She wrinkled her nose. “You’re terribly persistent.”

“And you’re stalling again.”

“We learned nearly half of the male participants, and almost as many women, revealed they had either been spanked or administered a spanking. The percentages were higher for spanking fantasies, which is more common than I thought.”

“It’s a popular activity here, as well. Anything else?”

“You’ll find this amusing, I think. Although BDSM wasn’t the focus of the study, I threw in a few questions to identify my demographic and cover all my bases. Only 2 percent of the survey respondents admitted to being involved in BDSM, but 80 percent engaged in some form of power exchange role-play regularly, if only as mild as the male taking charge during sex. So, it seems more people are doing it than care to admit.”

“Of course, people don’t like to be labeled. What did you learn from the couples?”

“Eighty percent of the males were the spankers. The intensity ranged from a few playful swats at the height of passion to full sessions with paddles and straps. Fortunately, nearly all the respondents reported they were happy and in stable relationships.”

Eric nodded, not surprised. “Your recall of the data is remarkable. It’s been several years, hasn’t it?”

“Well...I, um, may have reviewed the stats recently.”